Uttlesford District Council rated 'among the best' in key areas

PUBLISHED: 10:20 24 December 2008 | UPDATED: 21:38 31 May 2010

STATISTICS released by a national organisation that analyses the performance of councils in rural areas show that Uttlesford District Council is among the best in the country in several key areas. The council s planning team in particular has been identif

STATISTICS released by a national organisation that analyses the performance of councils in rural areas show that Uttlesford District Council is among the best in the country in several key areas.

The council's planning team in particular has been identified in statistics published by the Rural Services Network (RSN) as being one of England's very best.

The council's swift turnaround time for determining applications, both major and minor, has put it in the top quarter for the financial year 2007/08. Nine out of every ten major applications were determined within the required 13-week timeframe, a figure that places the council in the top 12.5 per cent of mostly rural authorities.

The council is also in the top quarter of the 113 predominantly rural authorities in England for determining minor applications, with more than four out of five being dealt with within the required eight weeks. Both of these figures represent a significant improvement on the previous year.

The RSN statistics also reiterate the district's exemplary recycling performance, placing the council comfortably at the top end of the table for its recycling rate. Defra figures last month showed Uttlesford was the sixth-best in the country for its overall rate.

Another area in which the council is performing among the best in the country is in its collection of council tax. The council successfully collected more than 99 per cent of its due council tax last year, as well as more than 99 per cent of its due business rates.

Cllr Jim Ketteridge, leader of Uttlesford District Council, said: "These statistics demonstrate the commitment, talent and hard work of our staff at a particularly difficult time.

"Considering what the council has been through in the last year, I think we can feel justifiably very proud that we are still performing among the best rural authorities despite difficult circumstances.

"The staff who work for this council are proud of what they do and will continue to improve the services we provide for residents of Uttlesford.

If you value what this story gives you, please consider supporting the Saffron Walden Reporter. Click the link in the yellow box below for details.

This newspaper has been a central part of community life for many years, through good times and bad, serving as your advocate and trusted source of local information. Our industry is facing testing times, which is why I’m asking for your support. Every single contribution will help us continue to produce award-winning local journalism that makes a measurable difference to our community.